Financial Freedom

Money can make the world go ’round – or bring it to a sudden stop. Bay Area cities are trying something new to increase financial freedom where it’s needed the most.

On the government side, San Francisco is leading the charge with the nation’s first Financial Justice Project, an effort to reform how fines and fees have disproportionally impacted communities of color.

The East Oakland Collective is addressing decades of unfair lending practices against Black communities in Deep East Oakland. Their innovative lending circle program is helping the community grow – both as individuals and as a collective.